ISLAMABAD: The National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) today (Thursday) announced six-day Eid holidays in the country amid surge in COVID-19 cases besides also adopting a stay home, stay safe strategy,
“Announcement of Eid Holidays from 10-15 May 2021 — clearly stating intention of reducing national mobility,” the statement from the NCOC said. NCOC has also announced comprehensive guidelines by the name of “STAY HOME-STAY SAFE — Eid-ul-Fitr-2021 from 8-16 May 2021”.
NCOC announces ‘Stay Home Stay Safe Strategy’ for mobility control from 8-16th May 21 including Eid ul Fitr holidays pic.twitter.com/6yqo4BnV9r
— NCOC (@OfficialNcoc) April 29, 2021
The NCOC announced Eid holidays from 10-15 May with tourism spots, public parks, and small bazars to remain close on the occasion. The NCOC has also imposed a ban on chand raat bazaars, including mehendi, jewelry, and clothing stalls — from 8-16 May.
On the other hand, bakeries, fruit and vegetable shops, grocery, medical stores, vaccination centres will remain open during the holidays. The guidelines for Youm-e-Ali (RA), aitekaf, Shabe-e-Qadr would be issued on May 01.
A complete ban on tourism would be observed for both locals and foreigners. All tourist resorts, formal and informal picnic spots, public parks, shopping malls will remain shut. All hotels and restaurants around tourist and picnic spots will remain closed.
“Travel nodes leading to tourist/picnic spots closed; focus on Murree, Galiyat, Swat-Kalam, Sea View/beaches, and Northern Areas and other tourist destinations,” the statement added. A complete ban on inter-provincial, inter-city, and intra-city public transport will be observed except for private vehicles, taxis, rickshaws, with 50% occupancy.
Other than this, the NCOC gave a nod to importing oxygen and its cylinders in the wake of rising COVID-19 cases in the country. The country would import 6,000 metric tons of oxygen and 5,000 cylinders.
